absolutely

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "absolutely" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize agreement or strong affirmation in a sentence. For example: "I absolutely agree that this is the best solution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It is really important for the party that it is not defensive about the past but is absolutely honest and clear-eyed and faces up to the truth of what people are saying".

The Guardian

Absolutely terrified".

The Guardian

That is something he absolutely believed in.

The Guardian

While widely shared, this was an assumption that made absolutely no sense in the case of subprime C.D.O.s.

The Economist

Technically, it should be absolutely impossible for two cars to enter the same block, which is down to sensors run by a computer.

The Guardian

"It was absolutely devastating.

The New York Times

I don't like to spread panic unless I absolutely have to, but looking at Gove's pop-up initiatives, I think we ought be keeping our eye on the bubbles.

The Guardian

That they had him in a room and insulted him for three hours is absolutely unacceptable," said Stamatis Vassilaros, a doctor echoing a common refrain.

The Guardian

"While I deplore what happened this week, I absolutely deplore what happened... by the same token there can be no truck with drug trafficking," Abbott said in an interview on 2GB Friday.

The Guardian

The president absolutely... believes that we all need to set aside other objectives and focus on the objective of helping the American people.

The Guardian

On the surface, this might seem as if it has absolutely zero relevance to the average American, who is more worried about whether he's going to outlive his nest egg than whether he'll leave a "legacy" for his children.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "absolutely" to add emphasis and conviction to your statements, making your agreement or certainty unmistakable. However, avoid overuse to maintain its impact.

Common error

While "absolutely" is a strong intensifier, avoid using it excessively as it can diminish its impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Opt for synonyms like "definitely" or "certainly" to vary your language.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "absolutely" is as an adverb. It modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to intensify their meaning. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to emphasize agreement or strong affirmation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "absolutely" is a versatile adverb used to express strong agreement, certainty, or emphasis. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct. Its frequent appearance in news and media sources indicates widespread usage, though it's important to use it judiciously to avoid diminishing its impact. While alternatives like "definitely" and "certainly" exist, "absolutely" provides a powerful way to reinforce your statements when used appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

definitely

Emphasizes certainty or agreement, similar to "absolutely" but can sometimes imply a slightly lower degree of intensity.

certainly

Indicates a firm conviction or agreement, comparable to "absolutely" but can also be used in more formal contexts.

utterly

Highlights completeness or totality, making it a strong substitute for "absolutely" in certain situations where emphasis is needed.

completely

Indicates a state of being total or entire, much like "absolutely", though it may lack the same emphatic tone.

positively

Expresses certainty or affirmation, providing a slightly more formal alternative to "absolutely".

precisely

Highlights exactness or accuracy, which can sometimes overlap with the emphatic agreement conveyed by "absolutely".

unquestionably

Indicates that something is beyond doubt or dispute, making it a forceful substitute for "absolutely" in argumentative contexts.

undoubtedly

Similar to "unquestionably", this term conveys the absence of doubt, aligning closely with the emphatic nature of "absolutely".

without question

Conveys certainty and agreement, similar to "absolutely", but emphasizes the lack of any doubt.

by all means

This alternative shows strong agreement or permission, similar to "absolutely" when responding to a request.

FAQs

How can I use "absolutely" in a sentence?

You can use "absolutely" to express strong agreement or certainty. For example, "I "absolutely agree" with your proposal" or "It's "absolutely essential" to finish the project on time".

What are some alternatives to saying "absolutely"?

Instead of "absolutely", you can use phrases like "definitely", "certainly", or "without a doubt" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to use "absolutely" at the beginning of a sentence?

Yes, it's grammatically correct, especially as an interjection to express strong agreement. For example, "Absolutely, I'll help you with that".

What's the difference between "absolutely" and "relatively"?

"Absolutely" means completely or certainly, while "relatively" means in relation or proportion to something else. They have opposite meanings; "absolutely" implies a fixed state, whereas "relatively" implies a comparative one.